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California’s Clean Truck Check program isn’t optional. If you’re operating trucks over 14,000 pounds GVWR that are model year 2013 or newer, you need to submit passing CARB emissions testing results on schedule. Miss a deadline and the DMV can hold your registration. That means your truck sits, your revenue stops, and your customers get frustrated.
The penalties aren’t small either. CARB can fine you up to $10,000 per vehicle per day for non-compliance. That’s not a scare tactic—it’s the actual regulation. You can’t afford to guess your way through this.
When you stay compliant, you avoid all of it. Your registrations process on time. Your trucks stay on the road. Your business keeps moving. That’s what matters.
We operate right here in Calabasas, serving fleet operators and owner-operators throughout the San Fernando Valley. We’re CARB-credentialed testers, which means we’ve completed the required training, passed the certification exam, and maintain the equipment and credentials CARB mandates for Clean Truck Check testing.
We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We focus specifically on heavy-duty trucks that fall under California’s Clean Truck Check requirements—2013 or newer, over 14,000 pounds GVWR. If your truck doesn’t meet those specs, this isn’t the service you need. But if it does, you’re in the right place.
Calabasas puts us in a convenient spot for local fleets and out-of-state operators moving through Southern California who need to stay compliant with California regulations.
First, we verify your truck qualifies—model year 2013 or newer and GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If it does, we move forward with the appropriate test. Most 2013 and newer trucks use OBD testing, which connects directly to your truck’s onboard diagnostics. Older qualifying trucks may require a smoke meter test instead.
We run the test using CARB-validated equipment. The test checks emissions performance against California’s standards. If your truck passes, we submit the results electronically to CARB’s database and provide you with a record copy. You’ll also receive your TRUCRS certificate, which is your proof of compliance.
The whole process is designed to minimize your downtime. You’re not sitting around for hours. We get you tested, documented, and back on the road.
If your truck doesn’t pass, we’ll explain what failed and what needs to happen next. Sometimes it’s a repair issue. Sometimes it’s a maintenance item. Either way, you’ll know exactly where you stand and what your options are.
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You get a full Clean Truck Check test performed by a CARB-credentialed tester using certified equipment. That includes either OBD testing for 2013+ trucks with onboard diagnostics or smoke meter testing for non-OBD qualifying vehicles.
When you pass, your results get transmitted electronically to CARB. You receive a TRUCRS certificate and a record copy of your test results. That documentation is what keeps your DMV registration clear and your operation legal in California.
Here in Calabasas and across the San Fernando Valley, fleet operators are dealing with the same compliance deadlines. Starting in 2025, testing frequency increases to twice per year. By 2027, it goes up to four times annually. That means this isn’t a one-time thing—it’s an ongoing operational requirement.
You also get the ability to test up to 90 days before your compliance deadline. That’s a smart window to use. It gives you time to address any failures without risking a missed deadline or a registration hold.
The annual compliance fee in 2025 is $31.18 per vehicle. That’s separate from the testing itself, but it’s part of staying compliant. You’ll need to factor that into your operating costs along with the testing schedule.
Your truck needs testing if it’s model year 2013 or newer and has a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. This applies whether you’re based in California or just driving through. If your truck operates in California and meets those specs, you’re required to comply with the Clean Truck Check program.
Lighter trucks don’t qualify. Older trucks don’t qualify. This is specifically for heavy-duty vehicles 2013 and up. If you’re not sure whether your truck falls under the requirement, check your registration or give us a call. We can tell you in about 30 seconds whether you need the service.
The program started January 1, 2024, so if you haven’t tested yet and your truck qualifies, you’re likely overdue. CARB sends notices to registered owners, but not everyone gets them on time. Don’t wait for a notice to show up—get ahead of it.
The DMV can place a registration hold on your vehicle. That means you can’t renew your registration until you submit a passing test. Your truck is effectively grounded until you’re compliant.
CARB can also issue fines up to $10,000 per vehicle per day for non-compliance. That’s not a worst-case scenario—it’s written into the regulation. California Highway Patrol can cite you during roadside inspections if you’re out of compliance.
Once you receive a Notice to Submit to Testing from CARB, you have 30 days to submit a passing test. That’s not a lot of time, especially if your truck fails and needs repairs. The smarter move is to test during the 90-day advance window before your deadline. That way, if something goes wrong, you have time to fix it without risking penalties or registration issues.
Most tests take less than an hour from start to finish. OBD testing is faster because it connects directly to your truck’s diagnostic system. Smoke meter tests for non-OBD trucks can take a bit longer, but you’re still looking at minimal downtime compared to a full inspection.
We’re not trying to keep your truck here all day. You’ve got deliveries to make and schedules to keep. Our goal is to get you tested, documented, and back on the road as quickly as possible without cutting corners on the actual compliance work.
If your truck passes, you’ll leave with your TRUCRS certificate and documentation showing your results were submitted to CARB. If it doesn’t pass, we’ll walk you through what failed and what needs to happen next. Either way, you’re not sitting around wondering what’s going on.
Yes, and you should. CARB allows you to submit passing test results up to 90 days before your compliance deadline. That’s a huge advantage if you use it.
Testing early means you have time to deal with failures. If your truck doesn’t pass, you can get it repaired and retested without the pressure of a looming deadline. If you wait until the last minute and your truck fails, you’re racing the clock to avoid a registration hold or a fine.
Fleet operators who plan ahead test during slow periods or schedule it around maintenance windows. That way, if something needs attention, it’s not disrupting your busiest times. The 90-day window is there for a reason—it’s your buffer against surprises.
OBD testing connects to your truck’s onboard diagnostic system and pulls emissions data directly from the vehicle’s computer. Most 2013 and newer trucks are equipped with OBD systems, so this is the standard test method for qualifying vehicles under Clean Truck Check.
Smoke meter testing measures visible emissions from your exhaust using a certified opacity meter. This method applies to older heavy-duty trucks that don’t have OBD systems but still fall under CARB’s regulations for non-OBD equipped vehicles over 14,000 pounds GVWR.
The test method depends on your truck’s equipment. We use CARB-validated devices for both types of testing, and both methods result in the same outcome—a pass or fail determination that gets submitted to CARB electronically. You don’t choose which test you get. Your truck’s year and equipment determine the method.
Yes. If your truck is registered out of state but operates in California, you’re required to comply with Clean Truck Check if your vehicle is model year 2013 or newer and over 14,000 pounds GVWR. California regulations apply to any qualifying truck operating within state borders, regardless of where it’s registered.
CARB and California Highway Patrol enforce this during roadside inspections and weigh station checks. If you’re out of compliance, you can be cited and fined even if your truck is based in another state.
Out-of-state operators can get tested at any CARB-credentialed facility in California. If you’re passing through the San Fernando Valley or making deliveries in the Los Angeles area, Calabasas is a convenient stop. We handle the testing and submit your results to CARB electronically, so you’re documented and compliant no matter where your truck is registered.
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